Segal’s husband, John Roth, is a director of Henroth Discretionary Trust, which made the donation in the 2023/2024 financial year, according to Australian Electoral Commission records. Segal is not listed as a director or shareholder of the company, and there is no suggestion Segal herself was directly involved in the donation.

“No-one would tolerate or accept my husband dictating my politics, and I certainly won’t dictate his,” Segal told SBS News in a statement. “I have had no involvement in his donations, nor will I.”

Segal’s position criticised

Jillian Segal was appointed Australia’s inaugural special envoy to combat antisemitism in July last year. Source: AAP / Thomas Parrish

In a public statement released on Sunday, the Lebanese Muslim Association said Segal’s position as Australia’s antisemitism envoy was “no longer tenable”. It said she could not credibly lead efforts against antisemitism while “remaining silent about — or benefiting from — the funding of organisations that fuel other forms of racism and bigotry”.

In a statement, it said Segal’s attempts to distance herself from the donation were disingenuous, and that her household’s political donations were a matter of legitimate public concern.

“These revelations only strengthen the case for comprehensively rejecting the plan and the envoy position itself.”

Treasurer says donation is a matter for Segal

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the issue is a matter for Segal herself.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the donation was a matter for Jillian Segal. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

“As I understand it, she’s made comments about this herself and she’s addressed this issue publicly, and I see it really as a matter for the envoy,” Chalmers told reporters in Canberra on Monday.